President Obama spoke for 90 minutes this afternoon with President Putin of Russia about the situation in Ukraine. President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russias clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law, including Russias obligations under the UN Charter, and of its 1997 military basing agreement with Ukraine, and which is inconsistent with the 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the Helsinki Final Act. The United States condemns Russias military intervention into Ukrainian territory.

The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine. We have consistently said that we recognize Russias deep historic and cultural ties to Ukraine and the need to protect the rights of ethnic Russian and minority populations within Ukraine. The Ukrainian government has made clear its commitment to protect the rights of all Ukrainians and to abide by Ukraines international commitments, and we will continue to urge them to do so.

President Obama told President Putin that, if Russia has concerns about the treatment of ethnic Russian and minority populations in Ukraine, the appropriate way to address them is peacefully through direct engagement with the government of Ukraine and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As a member of both organizations, Russia would be able to participate. President Obama urged an immediate effort to initiate a dialogue between Russia and the Ukrainian government, with international facilitation, as appropriate. The United States is prepared to participate.

President Obama made clear that Russias continued violation of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russias standing in the international community. In the coming hours and days, the United States will urgently consult with allies and partners in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and with the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum. The United States will suspend upcoming participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8. Going forward, Russias continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.

The people of Ukraine have the right to determine their own future. President Obama has directed his Administration to continue working urgently with international partners to provide support for the Ukrainian government, including urgent technical and financial assistance. Going forward, we will continue consulting closely with allies and partners, the Ukrainian government and the International Monetary Fund, to provide the new government with significant assistance to secure financial stability, to support needed reforms, to allow Ukraine to conduct successful elections, and to support Ukraine as it pursues a democratic future.

If “the people of Ukraine have the right to determine their own future”, why did we give the opposition $5 Billion and used force of arms to overthrow the freely-elected Ukrainian government? Elections were set for early 2015.

If the people of Ukraine have the right to determine their own future, why did we give the opposition $5 Billion

What $5 billion are you talking about?

...and used force of arms to overthrow the freely-elected Ukrainian government? Elections were set for early 2015.

The Ukrainian Parliament voted to remove the President under existing laws, not force of arms. In fact, the ousted President's own party voted against him. n the vote, parliament also moved to have early elections on May 25. In a deal brokered Friday to stop the violence, early elections were set for December.

Lawmakers said the move to impeach was necessary. "Yanukovych is not capable of fulfilling his presidential duties," said opposition lawmaker Oleh Lyashko. Lawmakers will also consider banning the president from running in upcoming elections.

Better quit reading “Pravda” - it’s detrimental to your mental capacities. People of Ukraine made their choice clear, it pissed off Russians, but it’s no reason for military invasion. If anybody had any illusions about “brotherly love” between Ukraine and Russia - I hope rid of their illusions. Russia is aggressive evil empire.

17
posted on 03/01/2014 3:32:18 PM PST
by Samogon
(Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. - Plato)

You are probably right, but one of the problems here is assuming Putin continued to participate in the call at all. I think Obama is one of those people who inspires others to lay down the receiver, check the refrigerator, walk the dog, go whizz, or just step away and stretch for a while at the beginning of a call.

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